Suspect in rape-cum-murder case 'commits suicide'

Body of 6-year-old girl was found in cornfield on Eid day

VEHARI:

The primary suspect in the alleged rape and murder of six-year-old girl, fearing arrest, shot himself and died on the spot.

A police spokesperson said, the young victim, D**, a resident of Chak 35 WB within the jurisdiction of Vehari Sadr Police Station, had gone missing unexpectedly one day before Eid.

Her body was later found the same evening around 6 PM in a cornfield. Following the discovery, police registered a case under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code, naming suspect Mehboob, son of Munawar Hussain, belonging to the Mughal clan and a resident of Chak 8 WB, currently living at Dera Mangla Dam, Chak 35 WB.

On the morning of Eid, May 27, at 6:00am, a police raiding team from Vehari Sadr Police Station arrived at the suspect's home in Chak 35 WB to arrest him. Seeing the police, the suspect rushed inside and locked himself in a room. Officers repeatedly instructed him to open the door and surrender, but he refused. Moments later, a gunshot was heard from inside.

Police broke down the door to find the suspect bleeding from the right side of his head. A 30-bore pistol was recovered from the floor near his right hand.

Rescue 1122 personnel arrived quickly and provided first aid, but the suspect succumbed to his injuries. SHO Hassan Aftab Kiyani of Vehari Sadr Police Station arrived at the scene, took the body into custody, and registered another case under sections AO 13(2a) and 20/65.

After fulfilling legal formalities, the body was handed over to the suspect's heirs. It is worth noting that the suspect was employed at the Dera Mangla Dam site. The victim, D**, along with other local women and girls, used to collect drinking water and wash clothes at the tube well run by the suspect. Sources said around midday during the intense heat a few days prior, when D** went to the tube well to fetch water, the suspect overpowered her.

He allegedly tied her hands, feet, and mouth before subjecting her to assault, which led to her death. The suspect then dumped her body in a cornfield and fled.

**The name of the victim has been withheld to protect identity.